Off memory the Lemans gets extra: MTM Stage 1 chip, older style S4 seats (pre recaro), Quatro GmbH suspenion, 17" alloys, white dash dials, silver trim on dash/door, boot spoiler, 1/2 leather (unless full taken), The alloy suspension arms of the late B5 A4 cars, i remember the brochure saying something about sports steering but never qualified that. immm, thats all i remember. Mine also has full factory and coloured body kit, BBS RC's, Miltek rear exhaust. Took out the middle as was too noisy for the wife, and took out the miltek DP as that made it LOOSE!! power.

What is the significance of the Quattro GmbH suspension? - I have seen it mentioned a few times now.

What is the significance of the Quattro GmbH suspension? - I have seen it mentioned a few times now.

Quattro GmbH is a subsidary of Audi. They build the short run or special cars. They built the B5 RS4 for audi, designed RS6 and makes options for several models. In general terms you get Audi sport suspension, and then the step up again is the Quattro GmbH suspension.

Quattro GmbH is a subsidary of Audi. They build the short run or special cars. They built the B5 RS4 for audi, designed RS6 and makes options for several models. In general terms you get Audi sport suspension, and then the step up again is the Quattro GmbH suspension.

I have done a bit of searching for info on the Lemans on the internet and there doesn't seem to be anything on them.

Note sure on the avant. The "Lemans" name was a NZ only name. I once found a link to a german article on same spec car, but they called it something else in germany. Basically an end of life limited special for the B5 platform.

Note sure on the avant. The "Lemans" name was a NZ only name. I once found a link to a german article on same spec car, but they called it something else in germany. Basically an end of life limited special for the B5 platform.

Off memory the Lemans gets extra: MTM Stage 1 chip, older style S4 seats (pre recaro), Quatro GmbH suspenion, 17" alloys, white dash dials, silver trim on dash/door, boot spoiler, 1/2 leather (unless full taken), The alloy suspension arms of the late B5 A4 cars, i remember the brochure saying something about sports steering but never qualified that. immm, thats all i remember. Mine also has full factory and coloured body kit, BBS RC's, Miltek rear exhaust. Took out the middle as was too noisy for the wife, and took out the miltek DP as that made it LOOSE!! power.

On the open road I get milage of around 8 - 8.5 l/100km. I test drove a newer 1.8TQ a couple of years ago (standard package) but found the suspension too soft and the torque was lacking. I'm keep the Le Mans!

On the open road I get milage of around 8 - 8.5 l/100km. I test drove a newer 1.8TQ a couple of years ago (standard package) but found the suspension too soft and the torque was lacking. I'm keep the Le Mans!

Same, that why the wife refuse to let me to sell it. I never quite figured out what "high performance steering" meant, and if it was ant different to std.

On the open road I get milage of around 8 - 8.5 l/100km. I test drove a newer 1.8TQ a couple of years ago (standard package) but found the suspension too soft and the torque was lacking. I'm keep the Le Mans!

I haven't had a chance to compare the Le Mans and the B6 back to back, but I found that a superchipped B6 1.8T went well enough for my liking and I have read that they had 138kw and 305nm as standard too.

I like the look of the B5 Le Mans (only seen them on the street) and they seem quite a special car but have read that they have quite a bit less space than the B6. This is a concern for me having 3 children and contemplating moving from an A6. That said a B5 Avant might be a good comparision with a B5 Sedan, spacewise?

I haven't had a chance to compare the Le Mans and the B6 back to back, but I found that a superchipped B6 1.8T went well enough for my liking and I have read that they had 138kw and 305nm as standard too.

I like the look of the B5 Le Mans (only seen them on the street) and they seem quite a special car but have read that they have quite a bit less space than the B6. This is a concern for me having 3 children and contemplating moving from an A6. That said a B5 Avant might be a good comparision with a B5 Sedan, spacewise?

The lemans is special because its a great little package, not just one component. If you had to choose anything, it would be the handling. Its more go kart like handling than the B6 which is a bit sluggish/non talkative when compared.

Le Mans

I think the 132kw engine normally has 225nm of torque and the 140kw engine 240nm. I don't think the B6 was factory-sold with the 138kw/305nm MTM chipped engine but I could well be wrong! The chip upgrades for the 1.8T from MTM seem to increase torque more so than power. The le mans came with an MTM chipped engine as part of the package. I said I test drove a 1.8TQ B6 a couple of years ago but to be honest it was probably closer to 4 years ago - it was a loan car from Giltraps. I've had the le mans for about 5 years.

The B5 definitely lacks leg room for rear seated adult passengers but should be ok for younger kids. The centre seat comes with a 3 point seat belt as well.

The great handling of the le mans comes at a cost - it has a very firm ride which is fine on the motorway but can get a bit tiresome on longer road trips.

Le Mans

I enjoy driving through the Karangahake Gorge. I don't take it particularly quick though because you never know if someone is going to cut the corner coming the other way! Some guy did that to me in a ute one day and it scared the crap out of me. The car loves those corners but there is usually a truck or camper van in front going in your direction to ruin the fun half way through.

I enjoy driving through the Karangahake Gorge. I don't take it particularly quick though because you never know if someone is going to cut the corner coming the other way! Some guy did that to me in a ute one day and it scared the crap out of me. The car loves those corners but there is usually a truck or camper van in front going in your direction to ruin the fun half way through.

I hate driving the Karangahake Gorge now - it's 80KPH limit, the traffic is appalling and there is virtually nowhere to pass without taking your life in your hands given the traffic density and driving skill level of other drivers.

If you MUST go through there do yourself a favour and turn right over the bridge just before Waikino, then up the hill and first left brings you to a fab driving road and minimal traffic. Takes you right to Waihi or Waihi Beach if you keep on the right road.

There are some seriously fabulous driving roads in this country but you HAVE to get off the main highways.

Going to Tauranga from Auckland? Hang a right before Maramarua into Kopuku Rd. Follow Kopuku Rd for many kms and turn R into Okaeria Rd until you turn R into Waerenga Rd towards Te Kauwhata. Turn L into Waikare rd and this follows Lake Waikare shores (Targa stage in Bambina last year - awesome). Next turn L into Tahuna Rd takes you right through hills to Tahuna, turn R onto Morrinsville-Tahuna Rd then L onto Paeroa-Tahuna Rd. 2nd R is Hwy 27 to Tauranga.